We often think of care as personal or intimate, and citzenship aspolitical and public. In Carefair, Paul Kershaw urges us toresist this private/public distinction, and makes a convincing case fortreating caregiving as a matter of citizenship that obliges andempowers everyone in society.
Carefair has its roots in the rise of “duty”discourses - in neoliberalism, communitarianism, the thrid way, socialconservatism, and feminism - that advocate renewed appreciation forobligations in civil society. The convergence of these discourses,Kershaw argues, signals the possibility for political compromise infavour of policies that will deter men from free-riding on female care.The author invites readers to rethink the role of care duties andentitlements in their daily lives, in public policy, and in debatesabout social inclusion. He provides a detailed blueprint for morepublic investment in work-family balance, and recommends amendments toCanadian parental leave, child care, and employment standards thatwould collectively form a caregiving framework analogous toworkfare.